Foundation of Light to host a cultural fall festival October 12-13. What to know

The Ithaca-based Foundation of Light is set to host Sharadotsav 2024, an annual celebration marking the arrival of autumn in many South Asian cultures.

South Asian immigrants have taken various versions of the holiday worldwide in recent decades.

Foundation of Light has invited anyone from the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Central New York communities to join them at 391 Turkey Hill Road in Ithaca, on Oct. 12 and 13., for a variety of cultural performances, meals and programs designed to inform them about different aspects of South Asian life.

The free event will include three catered traditional meals Saturday and Sunday for an additional cost per person, only available to those who register online. Even if you sign up for both days, you can come and go as you please.

“Sharodotsav (Autumn Festival) is one of the most popular festivals in South Asia that celebrates the rites of the Fall season through the worship of Mother Goddess Durga who symbolizes the power behind life and creation, the source of all blessings and bounties that sustain life on earth and the force that enables good to prevail over evil,” the Foundation explains on its website.

Performance, vendors

Professional South Asian classical singer Sanhita Nandi will perform at the Foundation from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Nandi has performed all over the world at premier classical music festivals and concerts, including performances in 2011 and 2016 at Cornell University, the Foundation said.

Craft Fair vendors at the event Saturday night are expected to include Elizabeth Galen from Inclusive Color, offering custom clothing for all sizes, genders and abilities; Ayden Githinji of Solar Smithed selling solar system themed jewelry; and Emily Sullivan, who creates jewelry and art from salvaged, reused, and earthly materials.

For more information on the event, visit the Foundation of Light webpage at www.thefoundationoflight.org.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Sharodotsav fall festival at Foundation of Light October 12-13